Battlefield: Equestria Unit Reference Guide, Third Edition

Incorporate taking over Griffon lands into history

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History

Once, the Empire was great. Its borders stretch from the fortress-city of the north to the deserts of the south. Trade prospered and the Senate ruled supreme. They often sparred with the Commonwealth, an expansionist and oppressive regime that enslaved its people in vast factories. For hundreds of years, neither budged. Massive and proud armies were raised from both nations, both clashed, but neither achieved victory. Until, that is, the Imperial Third Army managed to break through Commonwealth lines under the command of General Chenkov, a northern native who specialized in winter warfare. Under the cover of an intense blizzard, Chenkov pushed his troops harder than previously though possible and caught Commonwealth sentries unaware. They stormed the guardian city of a strategically valuable city and opened a massive opening straight to the capital for the First and Fifth armies to take advantage of. The Third Army, victorious yet exhausted, returned home as lauded heroes. Each soldier, down to the lowliest conscript, received untold amounts of riches.

Then, on the verge of victory, they came. From the south, beasts who spoke. They took the Empire’s land, it’s riches, and it’s glory under the banner of the heathen Sun Princess. They forced both the Empire and Commonwealth from their lands, calling them unjust. They destroyed thousands of years of architecture and culture. The Temples of the Gods now sit as shrines to idiocy. Philosophy forged from thousands of years was replaced by friendship. Former enemies, now brothers-in-arms, the Empire and Commonwealth have joined to form the Republic of the Shattered Empire.

For two hundred years has the Republic languished in exile. No more. The Republic has waited, and with the return of the Night Queen and with the loss of that protective militaristic spirit of the blasted horses, the Legions march once more. They march on a foe that forgot they existed, a foe that cannot deal with an army of this size. Ave Rem Publicam, Ave Senatum.

Culture

The Empire is the conglomeration of a thousand cultures of the captured, all tied by the central theme of the culture oft the original Empire. The problem is that the damnable horses destroyed much of the philosophy and culture of their original empire and the conquered territories. What little remains are the fragments that the empire managed to take with it in their retreat. The books of old, music, nigh everything was lost in entirety. For almost half a millennium they've strived to rebuild what little they have.

Government

The Emperor has been dead some time now. He never left a successor when the ponies overran the Empire, and instead left the Senate, formerly an administrative body in control. They've been running the show for years now, electing anyone into their ranks: so long as they can afford it. They, represented by the twin Consuls, decide nigh everything for the Empire. And once every so often, one of their rank gains a unique privilege. They put down the olive crown of the senate and replace it with a helm, and go to war..

Units

Rifle Century: Ten groups of eight-man contuberniums, each led by a decanus. Armed with the latest Martini-Henry rifles, these men are the standard unit of the Republic’s army. Made up of loyal Republican-born citizens who have left poverty in order to try and gain glory, these men are trained and disciplined. Organized into Eighty-Man Centuries, each led by a Centurion, these men fight at a distance, only abandoning their rifles for gladius if absolutely necessary. They would rather die than break and betray the Legion, The Senate, and the Republic.

Urbana Contubernium: Groups of eight urban warfare specialists, lead by a decanus. More of a cult to Mars, the War God, than anything else, the Urban Cohort is armed with shortened carbines and menacing bayonets. This suits them perfectly, as they have a different purpose than the Rifle Centuries. Their job is to fight in the packed confines of city streets, using whatever means necessary to either halt an unstoppable advance, or overcome overwhelming odds. Recruited from the toughest and bravest of the Rifle Centuries, they’ll fight in the bloody streets and gladly turn every gutter into a river of blood.

Velixarius Auxila: Despite their name, Vexilarius are not Auxila. They are a proud member of any legion, flying the colors as high as any other. The difference is the Vexilarius are recruited from the upper echelons of society. They are meant to be light and mobile. While the Urbans get bogged down in the streets and the Centuries trade fire with enemy riflemen, the Vexilarius are always moving. They are trained in ranged combat. They are the skirmishers, the riflemen, the scouts, and the snipers all in one. They are the last thing you never see.

Special Units:

Pony Auxila: Auxila are not soldiers in the traditional sense. Rather, they are slaves noted for combat prowess bought in bulk. They are offered two choices: fight for us against your former masters and earn your freedom, or die. Most choose the former, becoming Auxila. The Pony Auxila focus on what humans cannot: magic. They provide key magical support in a battle, providing covering fire for advancing regulars.

Griffon Auxila: Auxila are not soldiers in the traditional sense. Rather, they are slaves noted for combat prowess bought in bulk. They are offered two choices: fight for us against your former masters and earn your freedom, or die. Most choose the former, becoming Auxila. Griffon Auxila have replaced what was once a key part of the Empire’s arsenal: cavalry. After all, why be restricted to ground-bound horses when your cavalry can fly and do its own damage?

Praetorians: The senate’s own bodyguard, the Praetorians are the best of the best. They are rarely fielded and nigh never in offense. Old warriors who have proven themselves on a thousand campaigns, they individually have seen more combat than most Legions total, and are still in physical shape to fight. Armed with the latest Krag-Jorgenson rifles, they are ready to cut a savage swathe through anything that threatens the Senate.

Hero Units:

General: A general is a special man. A political savant, a master of tactics, and a veteran, a General is inspiring simply by his mere presence. Add in his mastery over all things tactical, and you have a General of the Republic. A General is most often in his tent, planning the next encounter, but when he does enter a battlefield, it is a sight to behold.

Aquilafier: Every Legion carries with it a symbol of its greatness, bestowed some time in the past in commemoration for great deeds. The Aquila, as it is called, is the heart and soul of the Legion. To enter battle alongside one is to be blessed by Mars himself. To be among the privileged few who carry one is the highest of honors. Praetorians of their own right, a whole 30 men carry the standard into battle, surrounding the Aquilafier.

Scion: When the gods are said to have walked the Earth in days of old, they were said to have bless items of importance. Weapons. Urns. Coins. One such set of items was called that of the Scion, said to be the very armor of Mars himself. Those who were said to have worn it would become supermen of the greatest kind, cleaving through the walls of the Empire’s foes with ease. During the Return, they were refound. Once again does the avatar of Mars walk the earth. Once again does the god of war exert his power over men. And he has once again found his sons. One man in the Empire is found worthy at the right moment, and he is blessed. He shall die, but from his ashes shall rise the bane of the Ponies, the killer of the Griffon Kingdoms, the slayer of that damned Sun-Queen.